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TOrmentill is an hearb so like Cinquefoile that many mistake it. Cōmon Tormentil hath many slender weak branches rising frō the root, leaning as it were upon the ground, with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks then the other Cinquefoiles do,
with the foot-stalks encompassing the branches at severall places: the leaves be small, five or most commonly seven growing upon a stem much like the leaves of Cinquefoile or five-leafed grasse, but some∣what longer and lesser dented about the edges many of them: the flowers be yellow, much like Cinquefoile, but smaller: the root is black without, but reddish within, and sometimes a little crooked.
It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ex 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 septem, et 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, folium, that is, seven leaves. In Latine Tormentilla, quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum. In English Tormentill and Set-foile.
It is dry in the third degree without any manifest heat, binding, and of subtile or thin parts.
The herbe will keep a year, and the root two yeares.
Tormentill is Diaphoreticall and Alexipharmacall, and vulnerary, that is, it provokes sweat, expels poyson, and is good to cure wounds. The herbe, root and water are in use. It is much used in the pestilence, and other malignant diseases, as small pox, measles, spotted feavers and purples, driving forth by sweat any contagion, especially if a flux of the belly be joyned with these diseases. It is usefull in Catarrhes (to dry up rheumes) and in the French disease. It cureth the bloody flux, and all other fluxes of the belly, and stop∣peth the spitting of blood, pissing of blood, vomiting, and the over-flowing of womens courses. The powder of the root or the deco∣ction thereof is very available against Ruptures, bruises or fals, and dissolveth congealed blood, and easeth the paines that happen there∣upon. It helpeth also the stoppings and hurts of the lungs and liver, and is good against the Jaundise, and cureth the tertian Ague. The decoction of the root in wine being drunk, hindereth abortion, or miscarrying in women with childe, the leaves killeth wormes in chil∣dren, and it is a great help to such as cannot keep their water, if they put thereto some juyce of Plantain. A dram of rhe root in powder taken in water wherein red hot iron or steel hath been quenched, is a good remedy for such as have the running of the reines, especially the body being first well purged. The leaves, seeds, or roots are good to put in decoctions for wound-drinks. In a word, it is most excellent in ••he time of the plague or pestilence.
The distilled water of Tormentill taken in a morning fasting, is
lent against venome or any contagion, and is a good preservative in times of infection. The dose is two or three ounces The same taken morning and evening, cures all inward ulcers in the body, stayeth the flux of the belly, especially the Dysentery or bloudy flix. It doth com∣fort the brain, heart, stomach, liver and spleen; as also the whole bo∣dy, and cureth most Agues. The best way to still the water is to steep the herb all night in wine, and then distil it Balneo Mariae.
It is given in Powder, Electuary Potions, and Decoctions.
Take Tormentil root, Dyttany, of each a dram, Sorrel and Citron-seed of each a dram and a half, Ginger, Cynamon, Saffron, white and red Sanders, of each half a scruple, Bole Armoniack and terra si∣gillata, or sealed earth, of each four scruples. Make all into powder, and give half a dram thereof or more, in Carduus-water, and let them sweat after it.
Take of Tormentil-root in powder two drams, of the three kindes of Sanders in powder of each a scruple, Wood-Aloes in powder half of a scruple, Angelica-root in powder a dram, conserve of Red Roses and of Rosemary, of each two ounces and a half, with syrup of Gillowflowers make an Electuary. Give of it morning and evening about a dram.
Take of Tormentil-root in powder half a dram, London-Treacle a Dram, Carduus-water an ounce and a halfe, mix them together, and give it warm, let the party sweat after it.
The decoction of the root is good to cleanse sores and wounds, and to dry them up: the root or the juice may be put into ointments for Wounds and Ulcers. The root of Tormentil and Pellitory of Spain and burnt Allome, of each a like quantity, made up into a paste, and put into a hollow tooth, doth not only asswage the pain, but stay∣eth the flux of humours which was the cause thereof. The decoction thereof helpeth rotten Sores and Ulcers of the mouth, or secret parts. It dissolveth all Knots, Kernels, and Hardnesse about the Eares, Throat, Jawes, and the Kings Evill, if the leaves and roots be bruised and laid thereunto. The same also easeth the pains of the Hip-gowt, by restraining the sharp humours that flow thereunto.
The juice of the leaves and roots used with a little vineger, is a spe∣ciall remedy against the running sores in the head, or other parts, scabs also, and the itch, or any such eruptions in the skin, proceeding of salt and sharp humours: the same is effectual for the Hemorrho∣ides or Piles, if they be washed and bathed therewith, or with the distilled water of the herb and roots. It dryeth up sharp Rheumes that fall from the head to the eyes, and cause rednesse, pain, and wa∣tering, itchings or the like, if a little prepared Tutia, or white Amber, be used with the distilled water hereof. The powder of the root doth wonderfully stay the bleeding of the nose or any wound, or vomiting. The same mixed with Vineger, Oile of Roses, and a little Wax being made into a plaister, and laid to the back, doth pre∣vent Abortion in Women, or miscarrying. If women sit over the de∣coction thereof, it is a good help to prevent miscarrying, especially if after the use thereof they make a plaister with the powder and Honey, laying it to the navel and back. The distilled water being in∣jected doth much help to cure the Whites or Reds in Women. The powder of the root mixed with Oil of Camomile easeth the pains of the joynts. The distilled water doth cleanse Wounds, Fistulaes, Can∣kers and Sores being washed therewith, and doth much help to the speedy cure of them, and the water also alone doth cleer the sight, and stay the flux of Rheume being washed therewith.
Take of the plaister called Emplastrum contra rupturam, two oun∣ces, the root of Tormentill in powder two drams, Oile of Roses, or Quinces half an ounce, make a plaister thereof, and lay it to the back warm.
It must not be given in very dry bodies, nor to such as are much bound in their bodies.
The Dose in powder is from a scruple to a dram, in decoction from a dram to three drams.
The distilled Water. Dioscor••ium, &c.